Lock mechanism

ABSTRACT

A lock mechanism is disclosed herein that can be used to Iockingly secure and release sections of an apparatus relative to one another. The lock mechanism can lockingly secure the sections of the apparatus relative to one another in a plurality of different positions and, when released or unlocked, can allow the sections of the apparatus to rotate relative to one another and to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/984,362 filed Apr. 25, 2014 and titled “Lock Mechanism”. U.S.Application No. 61/984,362 is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to lock mechanisms. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a lock mechanism that canbe used to lockingly secure and release sections of a device relative toone another.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,455 titled “Loading Ramp and Trailer” and grantedFeb. 28, 2012, discloses a loading ramp and trailer. U.S. Pat. No.8,123,455 is owned by the owner hereof and is hereby incorporated byreference. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,455 discloses an apparatusthat can function as a ramp in one position and as a trailer in anotherposition. The apparatus includes a plurality of sections that can rotaterelative to one another and can be secured relative to one another in aplurality of positions. For example, the apparatus and the varioussections thereof can be moved into a loading position to function as aramp, into trailing position to function as a trailer, and into atransporting position, which is different from the loading position andthe trailing position. In each position, the sections of the apparatuscan be locked in respective positions relative to one another. To movebetween positions, the sections of the apparatus can be released so thatthey can rotate relative to one another.

However, an improved lock mechanism that can be used to lockingly secureand release sections of the apparatus relative to one another isdesired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another ina first position;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another ina first position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments allowing rotation of sections of an apparatus relative toone another;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments allowing rotation of sections of an apparatus relative toone another;

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a first position;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in between first and secondpositions;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a second position;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a second position;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another ina second position;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another ina second position;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to oneanother in a second position;

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a second position;

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments with a wedge assembly in a first position;

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of a lock mechanism in accordance withdisclosed embodiments in position for facilitating sections of anapparatus being in a third position;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments in position for facilitating sections of an apparatus beingin a third position;

FIG. 16A is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments in position for facilitating sections of an apparatus beingin a third position and illustrating a force vector acting on the lockmechanism;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another ina third position;

FIG. 17A is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another ina third position and illustrating force vectors acting on the lockmechanism; and

FIG. 18 is a side view of a lock mechanism in accordance with disclosedembodiments securing sections of an apparatus relative to one another ina third position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of an embodiment in many differentforms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described herein indetail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention. It is not intended to limit the inventionto the specific illustrated embodiments.

Embodiments disclosed herein include a lock mechanism that can be usedto lockingly secure and release sections of an apparatus relative to oneanother. For example, in some embodiments, the lock mechanism disclosedherein can lockingly secure the sections of the apparatus relative toone another in a plurality of different positions. In some embodiments,the lock mechanism disclosed herein can also be released or unlocked toallow the sections of the apparatus to rotate relative to one anotherand to different ones of the plurality of different positions.

The lock mechanism disclosed herein can be used in connection with theloading ramp and trailer as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,123,455.However, it is to be understood that the lock mechanism is not solimited. Instead, the lock mechanism disclosed herein can be used inconnection with any apparatus as would be known by those of skill in theart that requires locking sections of the apparatus in a plurality ofdifferent positions and releasing the sections to move them relative toone another and to different ones of the plurality of differentpositions.

As seen in the figures, and most notably in FIG. 1, the lock mechanism100 disclosed herein can be used in connection with an apparatus 200that includes at least a first section 210 and a second section 220. Thelock mechanism 100 can lock the sections 210, 220 in place relative toone another in a plurality of different positions. The lock mechanism100 can also release or unlock the sections 210, 220 for moving thesections 210, 220 relative to one another and to different ones of theplurality of different positions.

As seen, the lock mechanism 100 can include at least a firstsub-assembly 110, a second sub-assembly 120, a third sub-assembly 130, afourth sub-assembly 140, and a wedge assembly 150. The firstsub-assembly 110 can be securely connected to the first section 210 ofthe apparatus 200 with which the lock mechanism 100 is used. The firstsub-assembly can also be rotatably connected to the wedge assembly 150via a connection mechanism 160 that can form an axis of rotation for thewedge assembly 150. For example, the wedge assembly 150 can include awedge handle 152 that can be associated with and dissociated from thefirst sub-assembly 110 as needed.

The second sub-assembly 120 can be rotatably connected to the firstsub-assembly 110 via a connection mechanism 162 that can form an axis ofrotation for the second sub-assembly 120. The second sub-assembly canalso be connected to the third sub-assembly 130 via an adjustableconnection mechanism 164. For example, the connection mechanism 164 canbe adjusted to adjust the tension between the second sub-assembly 120and the third sub-assembly 130 as needed.

The third sub-assembly 130 can be rotatably connected to the fourthsub-assembly 140 via a connection mechanism 168 that can form an axis ofrotation for the third sub-assembly 130. Finally, the fourthsub-assembly 140 can be rotatably connected to the second section 220 ofthe apparatus 200 via a connection mechanism 166 that can form an axisof rotation for the fourth sub-assembly 140. In some embodiments, thefourth sub-assembly 140 can include a spring loaded pin lock 142 thatcan be engaged to lock the mechanism 100 and secure the thirdsub-assembly 130 to the fourth sub-assembly 140 and/or secure the fourthsub-assembly 140 to the second section 220 of the apparatus 200 and thatcan be disengaged to unlock the mechanism 100 and to release the thirdsub-assembly 130 from the fourth sub-assembly 140 and/or to release thefourth sub-assembly 140 from the second section 220 of the apparatus200.

As best seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the lock mechanism 100 can be lockedto secure the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200relative to one another in a first position, for example, a foldedposition, and prevent the first and second sections 210, 220 fromrotating relative to one another. To secure the first and secondsections 210, 220 relative to one another, the pin lock 142 can beengaged so that the third sub-assembly 130 is secured relative to thefourth sub-assembly 140 and/or so that the fourth sub-assembly issecured relative to the second section 220 of the apparatus 200.

To unlock the mechanism 100, a user can disengage the pin lock 142 bypulling on the pin lock 142. In some embodiments, the pin lock 142 canbe spring loaded.

When the pin lock 142 is disengaged, the third sub-assembly 130 canrotate relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140 about the axis ofrotation defined by the connection mechanism 168. Further, the secondsub-assembly 120 can rotate relative to the first sub-assembly 110 aboutthe axis of rotation defined by the connection mechanism 162. As bestseen in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, as the third sub-assembly 130 rotatesrelative to the fourth sub-assembly 140 and as the second sub-assembly120 rotates relative to the first sub-assembly 110, the second section220 of the apparatus 210 can rotate relative to the first section 210 ofthe apparatus 200.

When the lock mechanism 100 is unlocked, as the third sub-assembly 130rotates relative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, as the secondsub-assembly 120 rotates relative to the first sub-assembly 110, and asthe second section 220 rotates relative the first section 210, othersections of the lock mechanism 100 can be moved for securing the firstand second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to oneanother in a second position, for example, in a partially unfoldedposition that would be suitable for the sections 210, 220 of theapparatus 200 acting as a ramp. For example, as best seen in FIG. 6, thewedge assembly 150 can be in a first position that includes the wedgehandle 152 being associated with at least a portion of the firstsub-assembly 110. In the first position, all portions of the wedgeassembly 150 can be adjacent to a side of the first section 210 of theapparatus 200 so that no portion of the wedge assembly 150 is disposedbetween the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200. Asbest seen in FIG. 7, a user can engage the wedge assembly 150, forexample, by pulling on the wedge handle 152, to dissociate the wedgehandle 152 from the first sub-assembly 110 and cause the wedge assembly150 to rotate about an axis of rotation defined by the connectionmechanism 160 in a direction indicated by the arrow. The wedge assembly150 can rotate to a second position that is best seen in FIG. 8 and FIG.9 and includes at least a portion of the wedge assembly 150 beingadjacent to an end of the first section 210 of the apparatus 200 so thatthe portion of the wedge assembly 150 is disposed between the first andsecond sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200.

In some embodiments, the wedge assembly 150 can be spring loaded so thata spring is compressed when the wedge assembly 150 is in the firstposition and decompressed when the wedge assembly is in the secondposition. Accordingly, the first sub-assembly 110 can secure the wedgeassembly 150 in the first position and when released therefrom, thewedge assembly 150 can be biased for moving to the second position. Thewedge assembly 150 can remain in the second position until userintervention causes the assembly 150 to move back to the first positionand be secured by the first sub-assembly 110.

When the lock mechanism 100 is unlocked and the wedge assembly 150 is inthe second position, the third sub-assembly 130 can continue rotatingrelative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, the second sub-assembly 120 cancontinue rotating relative to the first sub-assembly 110, and the secondsection 220 can continue rotating relative the first section 210 untilthe first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 are in thesecond position, for example, in a partially unfolded position thatwould be suitable for the sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 actingas a ramp. As best seen in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the lock mechanism 100can secure the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200relative to one another in the second position. As further seen in FIG.12, when the lock mechanism 100 secures the first and second sections210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to one another in the secondposition, the wedge assembly 150 can be disposed between ends of thefirst and second sections 210, 220 so that the ends of the first andsecond sections 210, 220 are not flush with each other and so that thesecond section 220 is at an angle between 0° and 180° relative to thefirst section 210. That is, when the lock mechanism 100 secures thefirst and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 relative to oneanother in the second position, the wedge assembly 200 can function as abridge between the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus200.

The lock mechanism 100 can be unlocked to release the first and secondsections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 from the second position, andwhen released, the third sub-assembly 130 can continue rotating relativeto the fourth sub-assembly 140, the second sub-assembly 120 can continuerotating relative to the first sub-assembly 110, and the second section220 of the apparatus 200 can continue rotating relative to the firstsection 210 of the apparatus 200. When the lock mechanism 100 isunlocked, as the third sub-assembly 130 rotates relative to the fourthsub-assembly 140, as the second sub-assembly 120 rotates relative to thefirst sub-assembly, and as the second section 220 rotates relative tothe first section 210, other sections of the lock mechanism can be movedfor securing the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200relative to one another in a third position, for example, in acompletely unfolded position that would be suitable for the sections210, 220 of the apparatus 200 acting as a trailer. For example, as bestseen in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the wedge assembly 150 can be moved fromthe second position shown in FIG. 13 to the first position shown in FIG.14. That is, the wedge assembly 150 can be moved from a position inwhich at least a portion of the wedge assembly 150 is adjacent to anedge of the first section 210 of the apparatus 200 so that the portionof the wedge assembly 150 is disposed between the first and secondsections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 to a position in which allportions of the wedge assembly 150 are adjacent to a side of the firstsection 210 of the apparatus 200 so that no portion of the wedgeassembly 150 is disposed between the first and second sections of theapparatus 200. In some embodiments, a user can engage the wedge assembly150, for example, by pulling on the wedge handle 152, to move the wedgeassembly 150 from the second position to the first position andassociate and secure the wedge handle 152 with the first sub-assembly110. As the wedge assembly 150 moves from the second position to thefirst position, the wedge assembly 150 can rotate about the axis ofrotation defined by the connection mechanism 160.

When the lock mechanism 100 is unlocked and the wedge assembly 150 is inthe first position, the third sub-assembly 130 can continue rotatingrelative to the fourth sub-assembly 140, the second sub-assembly 120 cancontinue rotating relative to the first sub-assembly, and the secondsection 220 can continue rotating relative to the first section 210until the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 are inthe third position, for example, in a completely unfolded position thatwould be suitable for the sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200 actingas a trailer. As best seen in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the lock mechanism100 can be in a position that facilitates the first and second sections210, 220 of the apparatus 200 being in the third position.

When the lock mechanism 100 is in position to facilitate the first andsecond sections 210,220 of the apparatus 200 being in the thirdposition, a force vector can be created along an axis of the mechanism100. For example, as seen in FIG. 16A, the force vector can be along anaxis that intersects the connection mechanism 160 and the connectionmechanism 166. However, before the mechanism 100 is locked, theconnection mechanism 168 can be above the force vector.

A user can apply a force to the fourth sub-assembly 140 in the directionshown by the force arrow in FIG. 16A to lock the mechanism 100 andsecure the first and second sections 210, 220 of the apparatus 200relative to one another in the third position. For example, as seen inFIG. 17 and FIG. 18, when a user applies force to the fourthsub-assembly 140, a contact point 144 of the fourth sub-assembly 140 canengage a contact point 132 of the third sub-assembly 130. Furthermore,as seen in FIG. 17A, when the contact point 144 of the fourthsub-assembly 140 engages the contact point 132 of the third sub-assembly130 and the mechanism 100 is locked, the connection mechanism 160 andthe connection mechanism 166 can intersect the force vector of themechanism 100 along which the holding force of the mechanism 100 acts.However, when the mechanism 100 is locked, the connection mechanism 168can be below the force vector. Accordingly, when a force trying toseparate the sections 210, 220 is applied, for example, at theconnection mechanism 162, a second force vector can be created as seenin FIG. 17A, which pulls the connection mechanism 168 further down andinto the locked position, thereby securing and further tightening themechanism 100 and the associated apparatus 200.

In some embodiments, a user can also engage the pin lock 142 to lock themechanism 100. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a user can adjust theconnection mechanism 164 as needed to adjust the tension between thesecond sub-assembly 120 and the third sub-assembly 130, therebyadjusting the locking pressure of the mechanism 100. For example, theconnection mechanism 164 can include a bolt and screw, and the bolt canbe threaded along the length of the screw to adjust a distance betweenthe second sub-assembly 120 and the third sub-assembly.

From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation withrespect to the specific apparatus or method illustrated herein isintended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover bythe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope ofthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a first sub-assembly forsecurely connecting to a first section of a device; a secondsub-assembly rotatably connected to the first sub-assembly; a thirdsub-assembly connected to the second sub-assembly; and a fourthsub-assembly rotatably connected to the third sub-assembly and rotatablyconnected to a second section of the device, wherein, when in a firstapparatus position, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourthsub-assemblies can lock to secure the first and second sections of thedevice in a first device position, wherein, when in a second apparatusposition, at least one of the first, second, third, and fourthsub-assemblies can lock to secure the first and second sections of thedevice in a second device position, wherein at least one of the first,second, third, and fourth sub-assemblies can be unlocked to allowrotation of at least some of the first, second, third, and fourthsub-assemblies relative to each other to move the first, second, thirdand fourth sub-assemblies from the first apparatus position to thesecond apparatus position and to allow rotation of the first and secondsections of the device relative to each other to move the first andsecond sections of the device from the first device position to thesecond device position.
 2. The apparatus as in claim 1 furthercomprising a connection mechanism for rotatably connecting the secondsub-assembly to the first sub-assembly, wherein the connection mechanismforms an axis of rotation for the second sub-assembly.
 3. The apparatusas in claim 1 further comprising a connection mechanism for connectingthe third sub-assembly to the second sub-assembly, wherein theconnection mechanism is adjustable to adjust tension and distancebetween the second sub-assembly and the third sub-assembly.
 4. Theapparatus as in claim 1 further comprising a connection mechanism forrotatably connecting the fourth sub-assembly to the third sub-assembly,wherein the connection mechanism forms an axis of rotation for the thirdsub-assembly.
 5. The apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising aconnection mechanism for rotatably connecting the fourth sub-assembly tothe second section of the device, wherein the connection mechanism formsan axis of rotation for the fourth sub-assembly.
 6. The apparatus as inclaim 1 wherein the fourth sub-assembly includes a pin lock for, in thefirst or second apparatus position, locking the fourth sub-assembly tothe third sub-assembly or for, in the first or second apparatusposition, locking the fourth sub-assembly to the second section of thedevice.
 7. The apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising: a wedgeassembly rotatably connected to the first sub-assembly; and a connectionmechanism for rotatably connecting the wedge assembly to the firstsub-assembly, wherein the connection mechanism forms an axis of rotationfor the wedge assembly.
 8. The apparatus as in claim 7, wherein thewedge assembly can be in a first wedge position when the first, second,third, and fourth sub-assemblies are in the first and second apparatuspositions and when the first and second sections of the device are inthe first and second device positions, wherein the wedge assembly can bein a second wedge position when the first, second, third, and fourthsub-assemblies are in a third apparatus position and when the first andsecond sections of the device are in a third device position, wherein,when in the third apparatus position, at least some of the first,second, third, and fourth sub-assemblies can lock to secure the firstand second sections of the device in the third device position, andwherein, when in the second wedge position, the wedge assembly canbridge the first and second sections of the device in the third deviceposition.
 9. The apparatus as in claim 8, wherein at least one of thefirst, second, third, and fourth sub-assemblies can be unlocked to allowrotation of at least some of the first, second, third, and fourthsub-assemblies relative to each other to move the first, second, thirdand fourth sub-assemblies from the first apparatus position to the thirdapparatus position and to allow rotation of the first and secondsections of the device relative to each other to move the first andsecond sections of the device from the first device position to thethird device position, and wherein at least one of the first, second,third, and fourth sub-assemblies can be unlocked to allow rotation of atleast some of the first, second, third, and fourth sub-assembliesrelative to each other to move the first, second, third and fourthsub-assemblies from the third apparatus position to the second apparatusposition and to allow rotation of the first and second sections of thedevice relative to each other to move the first and second sections ofthe device from the third device position to the second device position.10. An apparatus comprising: a first mechanism for securely connectingto a first section of a device; and a second mechanism for rotatablyconnecting to a second section of the device, wherein the secondmechanism is rotatably coupled to the first mechanism, and wherein thefirst and second mechanism are rotatable relative to one another to aplurality of different mechanism positions for lockingly securing thefirst and second sections of the device relative to one another inrespective ones of a plurality of different device positions.
 11. Theapparatus as in claim 10 wherein the second mechanism is rotatablycoupled to the first mechanism via one or more intermediate mechanisms.12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the second mechanism and the oneor more intermediate mechanisms are rotatable around a plurality ofdifferent axes of rotation.
 13. The apparatus as in claim 10 furthercomprising a rotatable wedge mechanism for bridging the first and secondsections of the device in one of the plurality of different devicepositions.
 14. The apparatus as in claim 10 further comprising at leastone locking mechanism for locking the first and second mechanisms ineach of the plurality of different mechanism positions.
 15. An apparatuscomprising: a plurality of sub-assemblies rotatably connected to eachother at respective ones of a plurality of pivots, wherein, when each ofthe plurality of sub-assemblies is in a first position, a first of theplurality of pivots is above a force vector intersecting a reminder ofthe plurality of pivots, and wherein, when each of the plurality ofsub-assemblies is in a second position, the first of the plurality ofpivots is below the force vector intersecting the remainder of theplurality of pivots.
 16. The apparatus as in claim 15 wherein, when inthe second position, a contact point of one of the plurality ofsub-assemblies engages a contact point of another of the plurality ofsub-assemblies.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein at least one ofthe sub-assemblies can securely connect to a first section of a device,wherein at least one of the sub-assemblies can rotatably connect to asecond section of the device at one of the plurality of pivots, andwherein at least some of the plurality of sub-assemblies are rotatablerelative to one another to a plurality of different positions, includingthe first and second positions, for lockingly securing the first andsecond sections of the device relative to one another in respective onesof a plurality of different device positions.
 18. The apparatus as inclaim 17 wherein a force applied to separate the first and secondsections of the device creates a second force vector along the first ofthe plurality of pivots that pulls the first of the plurality of pivotsfurther below the force vector.
 19. The apparatus as in claim 15 whereina locking force acts along the force vector.
 20. The apparatus as inclaim 15 wherein at least some of the plurality of sub-assemblies arerotatable to a third position.